Egypt issues new decree to deport foreigners convicted or accused of crimes

Egypt's president has issued a decree that allows him to deport foreign defendants convicted or accused of crimes in the country.

The decree by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi was issued Wednesday night and comes amid international criticism over Egypt imprisoning three journalists from the Al-Jazeera English satellite news channel. The presidency did not elaborate about the decree, which allows extradition whenever the president decides it is the best interest of the country.
The journalists are currently awaiting an appeal hearing set for 1 January.

El-Sissi previously said he was unable to take action in the Al-Jazeera case until after the final verdict. In an apparent reference to the Al-Jazeera case last month, el-Sissi said he thinks the ideal way to deal with "transgressions" by foreign journalists would be to deport them.

- AP